Fiber railway-torpedo.



F'. BUTCHER.

FIBER RAILWAY TORPEDOQ APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 11. 1913.

Patented June 27, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

F. BUTCHER.

FIBER RAILWAY TORPEDO. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. n. 1913.

Patented J 11110 27, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2'- THE COLUMBIA PLAYIIOURAPH C0.. WASHINGTON, D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK DUTCHER, OF VERSAILLES, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO CENTRAL RAILWAY SIGNAL COMPANY, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

FIBER RAILWAY-TORPEDO.

Application filed September 17, 1913.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FRANK DUTCHER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Versailles, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fiber Railway-Torpedoes, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

My invention relates to improvements in fiber railway torpedoes.

The object of my invention is to provide a fiber torpedo made of an upper case con taining the explosive compound and a bottom of a flat disk form closing the explosive containing case and providing means where by the rail attaching strap is securely fas tened thereto and at the same time providing means whereby the case and the bottom are more securely fastened together.

Another object of my invention is to provide a simple, cheap and more effective torpedo of this character having certain details of structure hereinafter more fully set forth.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved torpedo applied to the rail. Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 33 at right-angles to Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the several parts of which the torpedo shown in Fig. 5 is composed, shown in their separated relation. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a torpedo showing a slightly modified form. Fig. 6 is a top plan view showing a torpedo of a slightly different shape and showing the securing means on only two sides there of. Fig. 7 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line 77 of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the form of torpedo shown in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, and showing the rail-attaching strap secured in a slightly different manner. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the torpedo of the form shown in Fig. 6, and showing a springattaching strap applied thereto.

Referring now to the drawings, 1 represents the case of my improved torpedo, and which has a central upwardly curved bulged portion 2, and a circular flange 3, surrounding the same. The explosive mixture 4 is of a form to fit the bulged portion 2 and of such a thickness that its lower face is approximately in a plane with the upper face Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 27, 1916.

Serial No. 790,258.

.2 and 3, passes below the disk 5 and securely holds the disk therein against the lower face of the explosive compound 4. Placed against the bottom of the disk 5 is a disk 9, the outer edge of which is in a "ertical line with that of the flange 3. It is understood that the disk 5 is cemented within the case 1 and the disk 9 also cemented or otherwise secured to the lower face of the disk 5, and also to the lower face of the flange 3. In order to more securely fasten the case 1 to the disk 9 and also secure the rail-attaching strap 8 against accidental removal or movement within the torpedo, I provide a row of stitching 10 around the flange 3, and which also passes through the disk 9 forming the bottom of the torpedo.

In the modification shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings, instead of providing the flange 3 of the torpedo case 1 with the slits 6 and 7, the strap 8 rests against the lower face of the flange 3, and the disk 9 rests against the lower face of the rail-attaching strap. This form of ra'il-atmching strap secured to the torpedo by means of the staples 11, which pass downwardly through the flange 3,. and also the disk 9 and is clenched on the lower face of the disk, as clearly shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. In this form shown in Fig. 5, the stitching 10 is also shown, but this is not absolutely necessary as the cement would hold the disk 9 to the flange 3 of the case and the staple would prevent the same from being separated by any pull or strain upon the railattaching strap 8.

In the modification shown in Figs. 6 and 7, I have shown the torpedo case 12 of an oval form and having the raised portion 13 tapering from a central point 14 toward each end. Within the raised portion 13 of the case the explosive compound 15 is placed, which is of a shape to correspond with the raised portion. The explosive compound-containing case in. this case is likewise provided with a flange 16 and a plate or sheet of fiber 17 is placed within the raised portion against the explosive compound 15 in precisely the same manner as the disk is employed in the form shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The rail-attaching strap 18 extends across the lower face of the plate 17 against the flange 16, and the lower plate 19 is placed against the lower face of the plate 17 and the lower face of the flange 16 and cemented thereto, thus holding the rail-attaching strap between the same.

A row of stitching passes through the flange 3 and the plate 19 on the sides between which the rail attaching-strip passes and thus more securely fastening the rail attaching strap 18 between the flange 16 and the plate 19. It might, however, be found essential to extend this stitching entirely around the flange 16.

In the modification shown in Fig. 8, the rail-attaching strap 8 passes below the flange 3 in precisely the same manner as that shown in Fig. 5, and instead of employing the staple 11 for securing the strap between the flange 3 and the disk 9, the stitching passes entirely around the flange through the rail-attaching strap 8.

In Fig. 9, instead of the lead rail-attaching strap 18, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, I have shown a spring-attaching clip 20, which would be secured to the torpedo in precisely the same manner as that shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. An improved rail vay signal torpedo comprising a fiber case, an explosive within the case, the case having a twowall flange projecting beyond the explosive, a stitching closing the two wall flange, the flange having openings, and a rail-engaging member passing through the openings in the flange.

2. An improved railway signal torpedo comprising a fiber case, an explosive within the case, the case having an extended double wall flange, the double wall flange united by sewing the two walls together, and a ceient-like compound serving to close the openings formed by the stitching opera- Oopies of this patent may be obtained for tion, and a rail-engaging strap connected with the case by passing through the said extended flange.

3. An improved railway signal torpedo comprising a fiber case, a plastic explosive compound within the case, the case having a two wall portion extending beyond the plastic, the two wall portion sewed together, and a rail-engaging strap passing through the said portion of the case.

4. In a torpedo, an explosive containing case having a flattened portion, a base member for the case and a stitching securing the base member to the flattened portion of the Jase.

5. In a torpedo, an explosive containing case, the case having a flattened portion projecting beyond the explosive, a base member for the case, and a stitching securing the base member to the flattened portion of the case.

6. An improved article of manufacture, a non-metallic railway signal torpedo, comprising a fibrous explosive containing case having a flattened portion projecting beyond the explosive, and comprising a plurality of layers. and a continuous fiber uniting member piercing the said layers at a plurality of points, said continuous uniting member extending throughout the flattened portion and engaging respectively the outer faces of the layers to form a continuous unbroken stitching closure between said layers, and a rail-engaging member carried by said case.

7. An improved railway signal torpedo, comprising a fiber case, an explosive com pound within the case, the case having a flange of a plurality of layers extending be yond the explosive, and a stitching piercing the said layers at a plurality of points and engaging respectively the outer faces of the layers and forming an unbroken stitching closure between said layers.

In testimony whereof I hereunto atlix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

FRANK DUTCHER.

lVitnesses R. W. JUNKnR, Gr. M. LEONARD.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patenu.

Washington, D. C." 

